My Take -> Week 14

Greetings, G-Force.

9-3. In 2020, the Packers have reminded me to be the lightning and not the thunder. Strike first. Live with electricity. Just hold on.

As I write, I enjoy a Stone Enjoy By IPA. I think to myself: give me beer, give me music and give me Packers football...and you know what? I don’t need much more outside entertainment. I listen to Bob Marley’s show from September 23, 1980 at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh. His last show. What an icon. An absolute Legend. Buzz in. Please. I beg you.

My quick vibes from the last week:

Again, Matt LaFleur amazed us all. After a couple of offensive breakdowns on the first series, the offense looked Super. If you’re curious about what kind of locker room Matt LaFleur has built, just watch the Aaron Jones TD run. The entire Packers offense was sprinting down the field to help guide him into the end zone. Matt LaFleur understands culture. I like what he’s built.

Aaron Rodgers continues to play at an MVP level. He’s in tune with everything going on. In the zone. Fully dialed in. He’s become the best play action QB in the NFL. He draws the defense in with his disguise.

Props to the defense. Down 3-0 late in the first, Philly looked to be in control of the game. They were driving to make it a 2-score game. But, this defense played with the simplicity that we’ve been waiting for all year. Gary got home with a sack and Keke did one play later. Suddenly, the Eagles were out of FG range. Great to see Pettine adjusting his game plan. He listened to his players. In man to man battles, I believe this Packers defense has the talent to be a high flying, quality defense.

After that defensive stop, all momentum swung towards the Packers. The Packers went 88 yards on 14 plays while draining more than 7:40 off of the clock. Oh, the glory.

Kamal Martin gets me excited. There’s so much to like. He explodes through the hole. He has great football instincts.

Davante Adams is doing things that haven’t been done by a WR in my lifetime. He’s hungry. He’s determined. He’s winning jump balls. He’s creating his own separation when he isn’t being schemed open. The only player who has done anything close to what Adams is doing since I’ve been alive was Sterling Sharpe. Defenses know that the ball is going to Adams and they still can’t stop it.

I love Aaron Jones. What a gamer. Please lock him up.

Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams for #400 is absolutely beautiful.

Rick Wagner has been a great Gutekunst signing.

We should take note of Matt LaFleur’s brilliance when we start seeing Marcedes Lewis grabbing 36 yard passes and there’s no one anywhere near him.

Jaire is becoming an Island of its own.

Another especially strong game from Savage!

When Kevin King is on the field, this defense looks different in their pads.

Keep Preston Smith running forward and not running backwards and the results will continue to be favorable.

I will miss Raven Greene. What a solid football player. A great Gutekunst find. Gutekunst has shown an eye for finding good defensive football players. Bummer that Greene is out. I’m hoping that we see a little bit of Henry Black in his place. I’ve liked what we’ve seen from him in limited action.

Jenkins is a dynamite football player.

Big Bob Tonyan! How much is he going to get paid this year? What a spectacular year he’s having. A tough dude.

Shout out to Malik Taylor who ran with toughness after the catch.

Za’Darius keeps making plays every week.

If Keke and Gary can keep bringing the heat, this team has a legitimate chance to be Super.

Rodgers to Lazard out of a set that screams run feels like the sun riding over the Ridge to start your day.

I think the two TD’s to Big Bob Tonyan over the last two weeks are my favorite two TD’s of the year. The play against the Bears was pure play design mastery by LaFleur. The TD against the Eagles was the epitome of just how amazing Rodgers has been in 2020. He patiently canvassed the field, casually stepped out of a sack like a young Yogi and flipped his wrist for a 25 yard TD.

1st and 10 out of your own end zone? Why not call the deep ball. So many hearts.

This team needs a Lamont Hollinquest or a Bernardo Harris. Someone who can be a special teams dynamo. A man who is determined to make a special teams tackle. At all costs.

In 1995 and 1996, the Pacjers had a great defense. It felt like the biggest weakness was when teams would attack Sean Jones in the run game. Fritz Shurmur had to plant Wayne Simmons or Brian Williams right behind him to give run support protection. Preston Smith offers the same concerns in the run game. Pettine needs to design support for him. Could it be Martin? Or Amos?

Slay is a great CB. Davante treated him like a rag doll. The play design on the TD is further proof of LaFleur’s intelligence. Showing heavy to the strong side of the field. Two WR’s stacked to the weak side. Lazard motions across to the strong side of the field. Drawing CB and LB attention. The play is called to the weak side of the field to Davante. One on one. #400 in the books. I can watch that design on repeat.

Catch the ball, MVS. LaFleur and Rodgers wanted the dagger to start the 3rd. MVS couldn’t hold on.

This team has personality. This team has a spark. They believe in themselves. They build early leads. And hold on as if everything is right.

Kevin King has a game changing interception coming in the very near future.

I’m excited to see an animated Tavon Austin with the ball in his hands.

This week - it's the Lions. In Detroit. A place that the Packers have not played great football in recent years. But, this team feels different and I expect them to come out with great intensity from the start.

The Lions are banged up. They'll be without their top WR, their starting RT and their top two CB's. Still, if they stay committed to the run, they should be able to move the ball and keep it competitive.

If Darrell Bevell loses patience as a play caller, the Packers should be able to get heightened pressure and get in Stafford's face. Bevell's play calling will be a determining factor in the outocme. I'm hoping that he tries to toss it around the field. If so, I expect a blowout. But, I have to imagine that Bevell will stay patient and annoy the Packers defense. Like the Eagles early on last week, look for the Lions to try and sustain long, clock-eating drives.

Regardless of Bevell's play calling, Detroit shouldn't win this game. They'll struggle to cover Adams. And Tonyan. And Lazard. And MVS. One would assume that Rodgers is in line for a big game and that ultimately, if the Packers defense shows up, the Packers should win by two scores. At least.

I expect the Packers to force two turnovers. Look for King to grab a pick.

I expect the Packers defense to get at least three sacks.

I expect Rodgers to toss 3 more TD's.

Packers 34
Lions 23

Go Pack Go!

Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com